6 Realities of Working 2 Jobs

How many voice-actors do you know who graduated from State U with a major in voice-acting?

I thought so.

Ok, then…how many voice-actors do you know who earned their degree in business/poli-sci/marketing/or communications and jumped right into voice-acting?

Again, suspicions confirmed.

That means most all of us doing professional voiceover work today started somewhere else and eventually jumped into the full-time gig after struggling along in some other job WHILE testing the VO waters on the side.

My guess is a good 50-70% of today’s professional voice-actors started in either radio, TV, or some branch of advertising. All those months, doing two jobs…augh! Nothing like toiling away with a split personality.

Believe me. I know. ‘Been at it for years now. The frustration eats at me daily. I have the power to change it, but it’s not entirely my decision. Other people’s lives must be considered.

My plan was to make VO so successful that I could jump from news anchoring to voice-acting and barely feel the blip. Well, it hasn’t happened for 8 years now, so my guess is that it’s not going to happen.

For those of you working in the same schizophrenic environment, this blog is for you.

I’ve come to the realization that only a full-court press, total immersion, and dive in head-first commitment will change that. Voice-acting cannot reach its full blossom until I give it my full attention. The very fact that I HAVE another full-time job keeps me from making VO my full-time job.

Those of you with higher IQ’s knew this but either didn’t want to discourage me, or have been nodding knowingly from the sidelines. Honestly, I think I’ve done a pretty good job of creating a place for CourVO in the full-time voice-over world when the break DOES happen…..and it willhappen.

In the meantime, here are 6 realities that anyone must accept while leading a dual working life:

You are no less of an accomplished voice-actor because you are not giving 100% of your day to it.

As a disciplined master of your schedule working two jobs, you are preparing to be productive juggernaut when you only have one.

Frustration is a constant companion. You can’t. Do. It. All.

Full-time marketing and new-client acquisition may be the most difficult task to find time for as a person with two jobs.

Striving against the reality of only-so-many-available-minutes-in-the day reaches a point of diminishing returns.

Your current job may or may not be a hindrance to your next VO career.

Honorable mention: Everything you do as a voice-actor is gravy (frosting) on top of the other work you’re doing. Smile!